So on my "musings" thread we identified someone (Jeff Dudley) who has managed to go a substantial amount of time without buying wine. I don't know if that's cold turkey, or just not buying enough to make it worth noting, but either way he's substantially reduced the contents of his cellar.

I know I need to do the same, but I am very good at rationalization & still have disposable income. So I figured why not start an on-line support group. It's sort of like an Open Mike for not buying.

The idea is that you post the latest thing that is tempting you & other folks give valid reasons why you should not buy it.

Everyone is welcome. If you stumble and buy you are still welcome. We're here for each other.

Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for.

I have a problem (the first thing you have to do is confess that you have a problem).

We had a magical bottle of 1998 Castello di Ama Vigna L'Apparita in Venice a year ago at a wonderful restaurant. There's a bottle of the same available at a store here in São Paulo for $225, not far from the US price (most unusual). Though horrendously expensive, I am tempted in remembrance of things past, even while fully knowing that I can't recreate Venice in São Paulo.

"I went on a rigorous diet that eliminated alcohol, fat and sugar. In two weeks, I lost 14 days." Tim Maia, Brazilian singer-songwriter.

Oswaldo - you have given the single best reason for not buying it. You're right - you cannot recreate Venice & the fact that you have hesitated means that the money will bother you & thus spoil whatever joy you hope ot get from the wine.

Don't do it my friend.

Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for.

I was strong. While not exactly wine related, I was offerred a bottle of Last Drop 1960 Scotch and passed it up. Only ~1300 bottles worldwide and just 18 for the entire state of Indiana. Perhaps the $1,999 price tag per 750 ml. had something to do with the decision. Of course, I was weak-kneed when they mentioned it was wax sealed and an extra cork was included. Plus they were throwing in a 50ml "airline" bottle.

David M. Bueker wrote:Oswaldo - you have given the single best reason for not buying it. You're right - you cannot recreate Venice & the fact that you have hesitated means that the money will bother you & thus spoil whatever joy you hope ot get from the wine.

Don't do it my friend.

You have a gift.

"I went on a rigorous diet that eliminated alcohol, fat and sugar. In two weeks, I lost 14 days." Tim Maia, Brazilian singer-songwriter.

A few months ago I tasted the 2007 Leitz Rudeshimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett not once but twice. It's amazing. It's also $16. My resolve is crumbling...

Back in the days when I was married, I compulsively collected Venetian glass. My wife said "this is getting out of control, so since you are buying this stuff with our money, from now on for evey one you buy you have to sell one." I chafed. I counted. I found I had 40. So I kept that number constant over the next few years. Made my collection much better. It became known as the Rule of 40. How about the Rule of 400?

"I went on a rigorous diet that eliminated alcohol, fat and sugar. In two weeks, I lost 14 days." Tim Maia, Brazilian singer-songwriter.

Wow, is it possible to be both a little embarassed and a little proud ?

Without planning to do so, I've been compensating for those really weak moments when temptation draws me strongly to a some bottle, some "favorite treasure", some deal. Like those siren calls currently drifting from cases of 2005 Gallet Cote Rotie, languishing in a nearby County.

One compensation is related exactly to what David has set up here. I tell someone of the yearning, right away; sometimes I it's here in the WLDG, but usually it's with a couple vinfriends in the area. Somehow it helps me.

But it's also helping to pour out remainders of bottles opened and not loved. You won't believe how this tolerance threshold helps me to not want to buy more.

I'm here for you all too.

"No one can possibly know what is about to happen: it is happening, each time, for the first time, for the only time."

Okay, yes I have a buying problem and yes I have too much wine, but I only have like 80 bottles of Rhones many of which I shouldn't drink for years yet, and many of which aren't every day kind of wines. How can I provide for the future without buying?

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Jenise wrote:Okay, yes I have a buying problem and yes I have too much wine, but I only have like 80 bottles of Rhones many of which I shouldn't drink for years yet, and many of which aren't every day kind of wines. How can I provide for the future without buying?

Ah - the cellar balance problem collides with the buying problem. First key question - what do you have that is ready to drink? Perhaps open a couple of those special Rhones to scratch that Southern French itch, then consider a trade with someone who might have something you want.

Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for.

I'm being tempted by J Winery Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley at $34.99 a bottle. But I can't begin to get all my wine into the cooler unit and have boxes in the dining room, hallway between living room and kitchen, master bedroom and office room. That doesn't count shipments (generally only 3-4 bottles) coming from about four different wineries this fall and probably an additional 8-10 boxes being stored in the temperature-controlled warehouse at Carolina Wine Company. Part of the reason I will be doing a church fundraiser in November with tasting of Thanksgiving and dessert wines.

Space constraints are just another way to say "I don't need this..." We should all be thankful we do not have unlimited storage space. I sent 10 cases to offsite storage late last year & then realized that was a black hole where I could feed the habit.

Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for.

The short answer is collecting almost anything can be addictive. Besides wine I collect/admire mechanical wristwatches. I know many collectors of watches. I know people with literally hundreds of wristwatches. They don't have enough wrists but still they are looking for more watches.... god knows the holy grail is out there. Wine is the same. I know many people with more wine than they ever will drink. I, personally, have had wine pass its prime because I couldn't drink it in time. Wine is both good and bad in this respect.... good, because once you drink one, it's gone. But bad because the very fact that one is gone provokes the true collector to go into replacement mode.

I think all you can do is set up artifical boundaries and try like hell to respect them. The space one is a good one. If all you can store well is, say 100 bottles, then try to respect that boundary. Otherwise, the only limit is your wallet.

JC has a problem........But I can't begin to get all my wine into the cooler unit and have boxes in the dining room, hallway between living room and kitchen, master bedroom and office room.

Yeah, but one up on you JC maybe. Not only cases under the bed but guest bedside table consists of 4 old Claret boxes covered with an old sheet and a small table light that does not work!!!Therapy has not worked for me...yet.

From the time that I began the process of reducing my wine inventory, back in January, my stock has increased by 32 bottles. Right now I've got my eye on a nice 2000 D' Angerville Volnay. They have marked it down to $58 just to taunt me. I plan to have a bracelet made with "WWNRS" written on it - "What Would Nancy Reagan Say?".

Sam

"The biggest problem most people have is that they think they shouldn't have any." - Tony Robbins